Work supporting device for sewing and embroidering machines



Patented Aug. 20,1929.

UNITED STATES MICHAEL J. MAGUTH, OF CARLSTADT, NEW JERSEY.

WORK-SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR SEWING- AND ENIBROIDERING MACHINES.

Application filed June 11,

The present invention relates generally to machinery for operating upon textiles and is more especially directed to a method and means of supporting the Work in position for the passage or reciprocation of a needle therethrough, as in automatic sewing and embroidering machines, designed to operate on a number of pieces simultaneously.

In order to obtain satisfactory results in the operation of such automatic machines with the necessary quantity production to make their use economical, the work to be operated upon must be supported in a perfectly flat position for the reception of the needle or needles, andits application to and removal from the support-ing devices must be accomplished in such a wayA that change overs from completed work to new work may be made with the least possible loss of time and by relatively unskilled labor.

Various types of work-supporting devices, such as so-called frames, have been developed for use with embroidering and other automatic machines for producing needle work, but they have proven more 0r less unsatisfactory, in one way or another, especially where a design is to be stitched o r embroidered in one corner of a small rectangular piece of fabric, as in ladies handkerchiefs.

The failure of these prior devices may be largely, if not wholly, attributed to the difficulty of correctly positioning the work therein expeditiously and to the fact that the work is so supported and held that the p0rtion to which the design is to be applied is stretched or elongated, to such an extent that upon the completion of the embroidering operation, it is found necessary, in many instances, to discard pieces as imperfect.

Therefore, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a method and means whereby the output of sewing or embroidering machines, particularly automatic machines, may be increased, while, at the same time, the economic loss flowing from the production of imperfect goods, as by existing methods heretofore described, will be eliminated.

It is also an object of my invention to generally improve the methods of supporting the work in sewing and embroidering machines, especially in those automatic machines wherein each operation is simultaneously performed upon a multiplicity of pieces of material, and to simplify and thereby facilitate 1927. Serial No. 198,0174

the application of the work to the supporting means.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means for supporting the work in machines of the character described, which will be of a simple and economical construction and which will also be resistant to wear and rough or careless handling so that repairs to and replacement of equipment will become negligible, thus reducing maintenance costs to a minimum.

My invention also comprehends a worksupporting means for machines, as aforesaid, which will retain a number of pieces in needle receiving position upon a machine, the said means, by reason of its construction and method of assembly, admitting of a wide range of adjustability and utility.

Other objects and advantages flowing from the practicing of my invention will become manifest as the description proceeds, and I would have it clearly understood that I reserve unto myself all right-s to the full range of e uivalents, both in structure and in uses, to w ich I may be entitled under my invention in its broadest aspect.

For the purposes of the presentdisclosure, I have elected to show and describe one embodiment of my invention. However, this is to be construed as illustrative of my inve'ntion, which may take other forms within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation'of a worksupport-ing device, or rack, made in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section of the frame of Figure l, showing the clamping element of a work holder in raised position to permit of the placement of the work on the fixed element.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of a part of the rack or work-supporting device as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detail on the lineL b--b of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse section of one of the clamping elements, and

Figure 6 is a cross-section of the fixed and clamping elements of the workholder in cooperative relation, as shown the work is positioned therebetween.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, in which similar characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in the sev- -eral' views, each work-supporting device or rack, embodies the rigid parallel longitudinal members, preferably of angle iron, as indicated at 7, the web 7a of the lower member forming` the base of the rack, when the latter is mounted on suitable supporting brackets or the like, fixed to the machine. It will be obvious that the rack will thus be disposed in a vertical plane when in functioning position, the aforesaid longitudinal members extending transversely of the machine.

Connecting' the longitudinal members 7 is a web 8, preferably of sheet brass, which is punched out or perforated, as at 9, to lighten the structure as a whole and to facilitate handling, the said web being fixed to the flanges v7b of the members 7 by means of rivets 10. In lieu of these fastening means, bolts may be used, or the web may be otherwise and permanently secured to the members 7; also, the web may be of aluminum or another suitable mate-rial.

As will be observed, the web 8 is provided with a number of openings 11. Each of these openings, which are arranged between the parallel edges of the web, as shown, is of a truncated triangular outline, the long and short parallel sides having integrally formed flanges 12 and 13 while the converging edges are similarly flanged, as at 14 and 15.

The flanges 12, 13, 14 and 15 which are directed inwardly from the face of the web and terminate at points spaced from the adjacent corners of the openings 11, form the four sides of the fixed element of the workholder which is adapted to cooperate with the complement-al movable clamping element thereof. The clamping element, which is U- shaped in cross-section, is preferably formed up of strip brass, the side edges being` flanged outwardly as clearly shown at 16 in Figure 6. It will be manifest that when the clamping element is in registration with the fixed element of the work-holder, the flanges of the latter are designed to enter between the spaced sides 1'( and 18 of the former.

As will be noted, two of the meeting sides ef the clamping element are extended in parallel, as at 19 and 20 and preferably soldered or otherwise united for hinged connection with the web 8., In the present showing, the clamping element extension, which is suitably apertured, is positioned betweenthe spaced flanges 21 and 22, integral with the web, and connected thereto by means of a cotter pin 23, onwhich said extension is rotatable. Of course, in lieu of extending the sides of the clamping element as described, the bearing portion thereof may be made in other ways and any suitable connection, to permit of the necessary movement of the clamping element relative to the fixed element of the workholder, may be employed.

Assuming that it is desired to produce a design within the corner of a rectangular piece of fabric, as a handkerchief, the clamping element is raised and the corner of the piece of fabric is spread or laid upon the flanges 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the fixed element of the work-holder. The fabric as provided for the needle-work operation is usually unwrinkled or flat so that it may be quickly disposed upon the supporting edges of the opening 11, as described. rhe clamping element is then brought down upon the fabric, the flanges 16 with the spaced surfaces 17 and 18 and the upstanding flanges 12, 13, 1d and 15 of the fixed element, cooperating to stretch the fabric as taut as is required forV the proper performance of the needle operation.

rlhe frictional engagement of the fabric by the cooperating surfaces of the two elements of the work-holder, it will be noted, is along four lines. the smallest line of engagement being inwardly of the corner of the piece of material. This insures equal pressure upon all parts of the fabric retained in the holder and elongation or undue stretching at the corners, such as results from the use of prior structures, is prevented.

When the piece of work has been applied to the holder, as described, the clamping element may be locked in functioning position by any suitable means, As herein shown, the locking devices consist of the straight and longitudinally curved buttons 211 and 25, each of which is rotatable on a cylindrical supporting member or base 26, suitably fixed to the web 8 of the rack, as by a screw 27a. By the provision of the cooperating bearing surface 26l en the member 26 and the washer 27 in contact with the button, the latter may be readily rotated, these parts being maintained in assembled rela-tion by the formation of the bead or flange 28 in engagement with said washer, as shown in Figure 5. Each button may be slightly cmved in cr-oss-section, so theta softly rounded surface may be presented to engage the upper edges of the clampin c' element. By such means a gradual application of the clamping pressure may be obtained as the underside of each button rides upon the contiguous edge of the clamping element to its locking position, so that there is no possibility of the fab 1ic becoming damaged, as freeaently happens when it is abruptly or suddenly forced into position on the v holder. The method of assembling the but- .t-on on its base also insures a positive and durable locking device, one which does not require frequent adjustments to maintain it in operative condition relativeto the clamping element.

l/Vhen the cl ampingelement has been placed and locked in position upon the work, the full or free part of the fabric is folded and laid or pressed between the flange 29 and the contiguous sides of the adjoining work-holders, the free end being looped or positionedbeneath the horizontally disposed elongated hook or retainer 30, preferably integral with the web 8; (see Figure l).

As will be noted, each of the curved buttons 25 is supported between two adjacentI workholders and is eective upon the clamping elements of each of them, bearing upon the straight side 12 of one and the obliquely disposed side 14 of the other, while each of the buttons 24 engages one clamping element at or in the region of one corner thereof. This arrangement reduces the number of buttons or locking devices required, thus cutting down the time for preparing the work, while the work is firmly held within the continuous wall of the clamping element through the application of the locking pressure to the three spaced points, as shown.

In practice, a plurality of supporting devices or racks are mounted on a machine, each rack having a suitable number of work-hold ers, relatively arranged as shown and for the purposes heretofore described. IVhile one set of racks is functioning' upon a machine, another set is being prepared with the work. Thus, a machine may be maintained in almost continuous operation, its idle periods being only those required for removing one set of racks and installing the next, which, with the adjustable mountings in use, may be quickly done.

From the foregoing description of the construction and operation of my invention, it will be manifest that I have provided for the elimination of the objectionable features of present work-supporting structures for automatic and other needle-working machines, in a simple and efficient manner.

As before stated, various changes may be made in the relative arrangement of the parts and in the details of construction of the rack and of the workholders, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, which is directed to the objects set forth.

I claim:

1. A work-supporting device for sewing and embroidering machines embodying a plurality of work-holders, each comprising a fixed element having four sides, said element being in the form of a truncated triangle, a complemental member movable with relation to said fixed element, said member having a U-shaped cross-section, and means for locking said member in engagement with said fixed element, the sides of the latter being disposed within the walls of said movable member, certain of said locking means being common to two work-holders.

2. A work-supporting device for sewing and embroidering machines embodying a plurality of work-holders, each comprising a fixed element having four sides, said element being in the form of a truncated triangle, a compfemental member hinged to said device for movement relative to said fixed element,

said member having a U-shaped cross-section, rotatably mounted buttons for locking said member in engagement with said fixed element, certain of said buttons being curved longitudinally and effective upon two adjacent work-holders, and means in spaced relation to one wall of said member to form a guide for the disposition of the free portion of the work.

3. A work-supporting device for sewing and embroidering machines, comprising rigid parallel members, a web of sheet metal connecting said members, openings in said web of a truncated triangular outline, upstanding flanges defining the four sides of each opening, each of said flanges terminating inwardly of the adjacent corners of the opening, a complemental member, U-shaped in cross-section with projecting flanges at its free ends, hinged to said web, the flanges of said opening being adapted to enter between the walls of said complemental member, buttons rotatably mounted on said web for locking said complemental member in association with the flanges of said opening, certain of said buttons being common to two hinged members, and flanges formed integral with said web to cooperate with said hinged members to form guideways for portions of the work.

4. A work-supporting device for sewing and embroidering machines, embodying a frame having an elongated web portion, formed with a plurality of equidistantly spaced openings, each having four sides, two of which converge from one long side to a parallel short side, each of said sides being defined by an upstanding flange, said flanges cooperating to support a piece of work flatly disposed thereon, a plurality of work-clamping elements of a U-shaped cross-section, each conforming to the shape of a web opening and having t-wo of its sides extended beyond their meeting point to terminate in proximity to one of the longitudinal edges of said web, spaced ears on said web, means for hinging said extensions of the work-clamping elements to said ears and means for lookin said elements in immovable engagement wit said upstanding flanges, each of said flanges lying within the spaced walls of the cooperating U-shaped side of the work-clamping element.

5. A work-supporting device for sewing and embroidering machines, embodying a frame having a web section with flanges provided along each longitudinal edge thereof, a plurality of equi-distantly spaced openings in said web, each opening having four sides, two of which converge from a long side to a parallel short side, each of said four sides including an upstanding flange, the ends -of each flange being spaced inwardly of the adjacent ends of the side of said opening with which said flange is associated, a plurality of work-clamping elements of a U-shaped cross section, each conforming to the shape of a soeiated Web opening and means for locking each Work-clamping element in immovable engagement with the registering upstanding flanges of the Web openings, each of said flanges being disposed betweenthe spaced Walls of the cooperating U-shaped side of the work-clamping element, said locking means being supported from said web for relative movement into and out of engagement with 20 said WOrk-Clamping elements.

MICHAEL J. MAGUTH. 

